The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) posted a Customs Notice to announce that it is extending the maximum validity period of Canadian Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travel Cards (ABTC) from three to five years. All ABTCs issued on or after January 24, 2017, will be valid for a maximum of five years.

The Canadian pilot of the ABTC began on June 16, 2014. Under the project, qualified Canadian business travellers can receive facilitated border processing on arrival in participating APEC economies through access to special APEC lanes at major airports

Canadian citizens who are members of NEXUS and who conduct business in the APEC region are eligible to apply for an ABTC.

It should be noted that Canadian ABTC members still need to apply separately for, and obtain, any required travel documents (e.g. visa, passport) that are required by the APEC country they intend to visit.

APEC member economies fully participating in the ABTC include Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, China, Hong Kong (China), Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, and Viet Nam. Canada and the United States are transitional members of the scheme.

Link: Customs Notice 17-07 Changes to the Validity Period of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Travel Card